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The Citizen, 2005-01-27, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005. Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Heather Armstrong & Capucine Onn The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $30.00/'year ($28.04 + $1.96 G.S.T.) in Canada; $85.00/year in U.S.A, and $100/year in other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REGISTRATION NO. 09244 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1 HO email: norhuron@scsinternet.com Canada We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 RO. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca jpcna eg™ Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Confused priorities Farmers who blocked traffic on Canada’s busiest highway last week to protest the higher expenses at a time when their incomes are at record lows got little attention from the national media. Toronto airport workers, who shut down the airport Thursday to protest disciplinary action against some union members, got what they wanted in a few short hours. What does it tell you about Canada in 2005? In a country where few have ever known hunger, when the greater problem is obesity than lack of food, people take food for granted. Though there’s sympathy for farmers, there’s little urgency for government or consumers to give them incomes they can live on. After all we’ve lost huge numbers of farmers in the past half-century and the supermarket shelves have never brimmed with as much quantity and variety in history. Consumers assume it will ever be thus. So being assured they will never want for food, people turn to other worries of greater importance in their everyday lives, even though they aren’t essential for survival — like being on time when they fly. For farmers, it’s discouraging. Must we wait until people go hungry before farmers get their proper due?— KR Harry comes home Harry J. Boyle comes home to Huron County this week, but in many cases he never left. It’s symbolic that the funeral of this great Canadian will be in Wingham, a few miles from the St. Augustine-area farm where he grew up. Though he gained his fame after he left the area, those who knew him as a network supervisor with CBC radio or as head of the Canadian Radio Television Commission mention his no-nonsense brand of farm-bred common sense as one of his main attributes. And though he lived m Toronto most of his life, Mr. Boyle continued to influence life in Huron and other rural areas. First there was his creation of the National Farm Radio Forum that brought farm neighbours together to discuss issues of importance to their families (where is that kind of debate happening these days?) Then there were his books that told the stories of growing up in Huron County in the 1920s and 1930s. When James Roy set out to tell local stories on stage with the creation of the Blyth Festival the first play he created was based on those books and the Festival has a hit with Mostly in Clover that got it off to a strong start. Mr. Boyle always called himself a storyteller, not a writer. In his service to his country he created quite a story to tell. — KR Letter to the editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, On Sept. 9, 2004, the Minister of Community and Social Services, the Honourable Sandra Pupatello announced that the McGuinty government will close Huronia Regional Centre (HRC) in Orillia, a centre for the developmentally disabled along with two other centres by March 31, 2009. The government stated, “The closure of the facilities completes the move from an institution-based system to a community-based system that promotes inclusion, independence and choice.” I have a sister, Shirley, with severe Downs Syndrome, who is 52 years old and this has been her home for 46 years. HRC is a safe, secure community-oriented centre with qualified caregivers, with all the needed services on site. Not a jail like the government’s word “institution” likes to portray. HRC has been upgraded with provincial tax dollars (yours and mine) to provide specific needs of the physically and mentally disabled and recognizes and supports the specific needs of this aging population. Most of the 350 residents are seniors who require intensive care. The centre has its own doctor, special care unit, dentist, dietician, physiotherapist, audio services, and a pool for aqua therapy. Where are these going to come from in communities that already have a shortfall? Shirley does go out into the community to shop and attend community events accompanied by staff and then returns to her safe and secure home. At her home she can travel through underground safe corridors to get to where she wants or needs to go without crossing a street or going out in inclement weather. Many residents have no idea of right from wrong. Many cannot cope with any kind of change and their behaviours are not going to change at this stage of their lives. Why does the government want to evict these residents from their community and families that have developed over years of being together, to group homes? This decision has to be reversed. I am hoping you will consider helping me by signing a petition and/or writing a short note to our MPP, Carol Mitchell and asking her to express the communities concern to the Honourable Sandra Pupatello and her ministry. I have a meeting planned with Carol Mitchell on Feb. 3 at her Clinton office and it would help for her to know of your concerns. For more information or if you are willing to help, please call me at 887- 8860. There is also a website you can visit www.savehuroniacenter.com Barb Fritz. Jan. 28, 1948 S.P. Hallahan was president of the Blyth Agricultural Society. Alex Alexander was appointed county assessor. The officers for the new term of the Belgrave School Fair board were: president, Lawrence Taylor; first vice-president, R.J. McMurray; second vice-president, Leslie Bolt; secretary-treasurer, Stewart Procter. Skating carnival officials were growing weary trying to find a sutiable night to hold the annual event, which was always at the Blyth open-air rink. Originally set for Jan. 16, it was postponed to Jan. 23 due to stormy weather. This too had to be postponed. When Jan. 26 dawned bright and cheery it was decided to hold it that evening. A storm unfortunately blew up at the supper hour. Mason Robinson was declared chair of the East Wawanosh school board. Dr. Falconer of Toronto took over the dental practice of Dr. C.E. Toll. Playing at the Roxy in Clinton was Cheyenne starring Dennis Morgan and Jane Wyman. At the Capital in Goderich it was Pursued with Robert Mitchum and Teresa Wright. At the Regent in Seaforth it was Blondie’s Big Moment and Land rush. Grocery items on sale at Superior included a one pound bag of coffee for 47 cents, and Campbell’s tomato soup for 10 cents a tin. Jan. 25, 1950 A test shaft being drilled at a Walton-area farm in the hope of finding oil, had gone down past the 1,000-foot mark. Drillers thought they could still work for several weeks before reaching the strata in which they believed the oil would be found. The Brussels Town Hall had undergone long-needed renovations. A new feature was the hardwood floor. The stage was completely remodeled and the old unsightly curtain was removed. Clark Gable, Alexis Smith, Wendell Corey and Olivia de Havilland starred in Any Number Can Ptay which was playing at the Capital Theatre in Listowel. At Seaforth’s Regent it was Mr. Bevedere Goes to College with Clifton Webb, Shirley Temple and Tom Drake. Grewar’s Groceteria had a big sale on the 20-ounce tin of tomato juice. Three could be purchased for 25 cents, a dozen for 95 cents or a case of 24 for $1.85. There was a big sale at the Arcade Store. Ladies’ fleece-lined bloomers were selling two for $1.01. Purchasers of a pair of men’s women’s or children’s shoes got the second pair for one cent. Jan. 24, 1973 Blyth Squirts were the champions at a minor hockey tournament. Members were: Tony Stokes, Owen Stokes, Dwight Chalmers, Darryl Youngblut, Tom Cronin, Randy Campbell, Terry Gross, Don Reed, Neil Elliott, John O’Bright, Frank Van Dongen, Robbie Plunkett, Steven Siertsema, Andrew Westberg and Rick Elliott. The Western Ontario Athletic Association marked 30 years. Wayne and Shuster had audiences laughing with them and at them for 30 years, first on radio, then television. First-grade creamery butter was on sale at Corrie’s Foodmaster for 69 cents a pound. The 16-ounce jar of peanut butter was 47 cents a pound. Jan. 22, 1986 Optimism for the future dominated the meeting of Brussels council as a number of agenda items pointed to growth in the village. Starting the meeting off was discussion with the new owner of the Master Plastics building. He planned to renovate the building. The new guest was a local businessperson who wanted to divide one of his buildings in order to rent space to other small businesses. Council also discussed the acquisition of land for an industrial park. A feature story told of how computers were changing the world of retailing. Hessie Kipfer took over as the new postmaster at Blyth. County councillors discussed replacing Ball’s Bridge in Colbome Twp with a new bridge to be located two kilometres downstream. After two years off, Kevin Wheeler was skating again, and with his new partner Michelle Menzies of Halifax, placed third in the central divisional skating championship. Jan. 21,1998 Members of the Brussels Lions Club headed east with three tri-axle dump trucks loaded with firewood for the ice-ravaged area of eastern Ontario. Brussels Optimists loaded a bus with donations of canned food, diapers, batteries, flashlights, blankets, toiletries, firewood and cash, which also made the trek east. Students of F.E. Madill Secondary School’s Drama Guild were preparing for the annual Sears Drama Festival. Leona Armstrong, retired reeve of Grey was honoured at a special evening. The following Sunday, Armstrong received the Brussels and area Citizen of the Year award. The Brussels PeeWees captured their second tournament champion­ ship of the year. Winners of the Brussels Agricultural Awards were Jason Snider and Jessica Spink.